Texans LB Mercilus on health: 'Feels like I never left'

Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus said he feels back in top form following a torn pectoral muscle that cost him the final 11 games of last season.

"Feels good, feels like I never left," Mercilus said on Texans TV. "Getting brushed up on a few things that we adjusted from last year but other than that, physically healthy. I feel like I'm better than I was last year."

Mercilus had played in all but two games during his first five years in the NFL before sustaining the season-ending injury in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs.

"To come back from it is not too bad, just got to stay on top of it," the 27-year-old Mercilus said. "That's exactly what I've done and I'm right back in OTAs."

Mercilus has recorded 237 tackles, 38.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 83 career games since being selected with the 26th overall pick by the Texans of the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Texans' defense took a significant hit with the losses of Mercilus and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, finishing 21st in the NFL in pass defense.